Punahou's Wil Stanley and Rohan Watamull combines for a block attempt on Kamehameha's Naone Cannon. Steve Erler | SL

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03051631_3_5_16_kam_pun_steve_erler.jpg - Steve Erler | SL

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MAKIKI — All hands were on deck as Punahou swept league rival Kamehameha, 25-18, 25-21, at the Hemmeter Fieldhouse Saturday afternoon.

Nine players registered a kill to help the Buffanblu (2-0) capture their second straight Interscholastic League of Honolulu Division I win in as many days. The defending state champions rotated frequently and rested some of their senior leaders in the final set. 

Kanai Akana had a team-high five kills and Wil Stanley and Ethan Siegfried each had four apiece to lead the Punahou offense. Other players that had kills for the Buffanblu include Akahi Troske (3), Ryan Wilcox (3), Sam Bradley (2), Kainoa Quindica (2), Rohan Watamull and Hunter Johnson.

"One of the things that we have on this roster is a tremendous amount of depth," said Punahou coach Rick Tune. "We're comfortable playing anybody in any circumstance. We just have to keep adopting that next guy up mentality. The nice part of that is it really does help with the true feeling of a team." 

Kamehameha's Naone Cannon put down a match-high eight kills, but had several attempts stopped by Punahou's front line. Johnson led the effort with two solo blocks. 

"Punahou is a good team," said Kamehameha first-year coach Randy Nako. "They're solid all around and they play good ball. Their system is solid and Rick is a great coach. It was a good challenge for us." 

The tandem of Stanley, Bradley and Akana helped Punahou pull away in the opening set. The trio combined for three consecutive blocks during a 6-0 run that gave the Buffanblu a 21-15 lead in game one. 

"We have a big front line this year," said Stanley, who also had three digs and an ace in one set of play. "I trust all of our blockers going up there, whether it be a double or solo block. We're probably one of the better blocking teams in the state. We all block well and we're all like one unit." 

Punahou used three different setters in the match. Todd Grueber, who was last year's starter, and DJ McInerny each tallied nine assists while Buddy Scott racked up six more running the second unit. Liberos Kesley Yogi and Shea Suzumoto combined for eight digs.

The Warriors' main setters from a year ago, Kamoku Panee and Nainoa Barlan, took a back seat from the responsibility as freshman Matthew Saffery handled the bulk of the duties with 14 assists.

"He's still learning how to set a varsity level of game, but he's only going to get better," Nako said on Saffery. 

"Pretty much Kamoku and Nanea is kind of out of it a little bit. "I just want them to focus on the hitting side, so that changes. It's good to have them on the floor as they can set out of a situation."

Panee and Barlan each had two digs and two assists in the match. Barlan added five kills and had a solo block to give the Warriors their first 3-point lead in set one.

Punahou trailed 12-9 after a kill down the middle by Kamehameha's George Kailiwai, but rallied to tie it at 15-all on a kill from Stanley. The Buffanblu then went on a 8-0 run, forcing two Kamehameha timeouts, before the Warriors registered another point. Punahou went on to win the opening set by seven points. 

The home team's reserves got most of their work in game two and helped built leads of 4-1 and 8-3 before a Warrior timeout. Kamehameha stormed back to tie it at 15-all and kept things close before Punahou pulled away to end the match.